i'll put my hand through mike barnicle. two, i'll do the entire program through body limericks and knock-knock jokes. and three -- "morning joe" starts right now. >>> we have a recording of a phone conversation between manti and his supposed girlfriend. i've got to be honest. i'm surprised manti didn't pick up on the hoax sooner. take a listen to this. >> hey, baby, what are you up to tonight? >> your call is very important. please listen carefully as the options have changed. >> yeah, i'm thinking i might stay in tonight. >> me, too. i plan on just chilling like a villain, laughing out loud. but seriously, i miss you. >> i mean, that right there, i could tell something was up. i don't know. >> friday, january 18th. good morning, everyone. i'm mike barnicle. i'm here. i've got four imaginary friends with me. filling in here for joe and mika today. with us on set, msnbc and "time" magazine senior editor, mark halperin, national affairs editor for "new york" magazine and msnbc political analyst, john heilemann. cohost of msnb